Jack Teixeira, a 22-year-old member of the Massachusetts Air National Guard, was sentenced to 15 years in prison on Tuesday for leaking classified U.S. military documents online, including sensitive information related to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani in Boston, following Teixeira’s guilty plea for violating anti-espionage laws—actions federal prosecutors have described as among the most severe breaches of classified information in recent memory.
“I’m sorry for all of the harm that I’ve brought and that I’ve caused,” Teixeira said in court. Despite his training on handling classified materials and repeated warnings from superiors, he disclosed hundreds of documents over a year, primarily on the Discord platform.
According to court records, Teixeira, an airman first class at Otis Air National Guard Base, worked as an IT support specialist. His access to classified information allowed him to view materials related to global security, including conflicts in the Middle East and Asia. Prosecutors detailed how Teixeira shared this information with a group of online acquaintances, aiming to impress them with his access.
Defense attorneys argued for a lighter sentence, noting Teixeira’s youth and social isolation. They portrayed him as an individual with limited understanding of the consequences, stating that he shared the information to inform friends about global events, rather than to harm the U.S. Still, prosecutors contended that his actions justified a harsher sentence to deter others with access to sensitive information. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Dolan said a nearly 17-year sentence would serve as a “cautionary tale” for others with security clearances.
Teixeira also agreed to settle separate military charges from the Air Force, though officials declined to confirm the specifics. Meanwhile, the Air Force announced disciplinary actions against 15 personnel, including the removal of Colonel Sean Riley, who led Teixeira’s unit. An investigation revealed that some members were aware of Teixeira’s activities on at least four occasions but failed to prevent the leaks.
